Petunia plant name `Caschamp`

ABSTRACT

The petunia cultivar `Caschamp` is particularly characterized by vigorous growth and abundant flower production under diverse conditions including heat as well as moderate winter temperatures; a flower with an upper side that is brilliant pink with a dark purple center and a lower side that is light purple with dark veins and a long garden season in which growth and flowering continues from early spring until late winter.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of petuniaknown by the cultivar name `Caschamp`. `Caschamp` originated from ahybridization made by the inventor in a controlled breeding program inMishmar Hashiva, Israel in 1995. The female parent was a proprietaryline designated CV 75 and the male parent was a proprietary linedesignated CV 102. `Caschamp` was discovered and selected as oneflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by the inventorGaby Danziger in May 1995 in a controlled environment in MishmarHashiva.

The first act of asexual reproduction of `Caschamp` was accomplishedwhen vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in June1995 in a controlled environment in Mishmar Hashiva by the inventor.Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in September 1995has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for `Caschamp` are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

`Caschamp` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length withoutany variation in genotype. The following observations, measurements andcomparisons describe the plants grown in Mishmar Hashiva undergreenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of `Caschamp` which in combination distinguishthis petunia as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Excellent garden performance under full sunlight and the variety isalso suitable for indoor usage.

2. Good tolerance to diverse weather conditions and vigorous growth inhot temperatures and during moderate winter. The plant recovers nicelyafter heavy rains.

3. Vigorous growth with trailing dark green (RHS 146A) foliage.

4. Abundant production of luminous purple (RHS 74B) flowers that aremedium in size.

5. Long garden season maintaining growth and flowering from early springuntil late winter.

6. No particular susceptibility to common diseases of petunia.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the inventor the most similarin comparison to `Caschamp` is `Revolution`. In comparison to`Revolution`, the cultivar `Caschamp` has better garden performance dueto its vigorous growth and distinctive flower color. Unlike`Revolution`, the cultivar `Caschamp` maintains flowering duringmoderate winter.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of `Caschamp`, with the color being as true as possiblewith illustrations of this type.

Sheet 1 is a side view of a typical specimen of the variety `Caschamp`showing the amount abundant flower production, distinctive flower colorand plant form of this variety.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 10:00-12:00 a.m. on Jan. 28, 1996 under full sunlight at MishmarHashiva.

Classification:

Botanical.--Petunia hybrid.

Commercial.--Petunia cultivar `Caschamp`.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Trailing, vigorous, fast growing.

Plant height.--8-10 inches.

Spreading area.--30 inches.

Blooming period.--From early spring until late winter.

Stem:

Thickness.--2-3 mm.

Color.--Dark green (RHS 146A) with purple (RHS 77A) coloration duringlow temperature.

Pubescence.--Yes.

Branching.--Free.

Length of internode.--10-20 mm.

Leaf:

Arrangement on stem.--Alternate.

Shape.--Oblong with a simple leaf that is ovate.

Size.--Length: 95 mm. Width: 49 mm.

Thickness.--0.2 mm.

Color.--Dark green (RHS 146A).

Pubescence.--Yes.

Flower:

Orientation at opening.--Upright.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Regular and rounded with a corolla that is united with 5 lobesand a long straight tube.

Diameter.--5-60 mm.

Color.--Upper side: Brilliant purple (RHS 74B) with dark purple (RHS86A) center. Lower side: Light purple (RHS 72B) with dark purple (71A)veins. As the flower matures the color intensity on the upper and lowersurfaces fades a little.

Peduncle.--Length: 20-25 mm. Color: Green (RHS 146A).

Reproductive organs.--Pistil: Number: 1. Color: Green (RHS 138C).Stamens: Number 5. Anther: Blue (RHS 98C). Filament: Green (RHS 138D).

Disease resistance:

Not particularly susceptible to common petunia diseases.

I claim:
 1. A new cultivar of petunia plant named `Caschamp` as shownand described herein.